The federal government has introduced new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the digital proof of life of pensioners, removing the role of commercial banks in the biometric verification process, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Wednesday.
According to the Ministry of Finance, commercial banks' role in biometric verification of pensioners has been eliminated.
Life verification of pensioners will now be done through NADRA and Accountant General offices. Pensioners will be able to get verified every 180 days through the NADRA Pak ID app.
The condition of submitting a mandatory life certificate in March and September has been eliminated. NADRA's digital life signal will be received directly by CGA and MAG.
Pension accounts will not be declared inactive or dormant in the future. Banks will not be able to impose a debit ban on pension accounts for non-submission of proof of life.
Pension will go into suspense status if the digital life signal is not received for six months. Pension will be automatically restored, and arrears will be released as soon as the life signal is received.
Commercial banks should act only as pension payment institutions. Banks will not be able to collect life certificates or biometric data under normal circumstances.
Pension payment will continue directly to bank accounts under the new SOP. The physical disburser half system for pensioners was permanently abolished.
Manual verification will be provided by District Accounts Offices if digital verification is not possible. Extremely old pensioners will be able to submit life certificates through Form 10.
Family pensioners will have to submit Form-12 regarding marital status. Pension accounts dormant before August 22, 2026, will be reactivated.
Old dormant accounts will also be activated on receipt of the pension amount from September 2026. There will be no service charges on opening and maintaining accounts for pension payment.
Meanwhile, the Chief Secretary of Punjab has made the entire pension process online. The Chief Secretary has also made the process of all types of leave online.
The ACR of officers has also been made online. Retirement of employees has also been made online. Now all the work will be done sitting at home.
Reporters: Waqas Azeem and Qaisar Khokhar